Luer connector

ABSTRACT

A slip luer assembly includes a hub member and a latch member coupled to the hub member. The hub member includes an outer hub surface, and inner hub surface and a window surface. The window surface defines a window extending from the outer hub surface to the inner hub surface. The latch member includes at least one blade. The latch member is configured to be actuated between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the at least one blade is not positioned within the window of the hub member. In the second position, the at least one blade is positioned at least partially within the window of the hub member.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationNo. 62/359,709 filed Jul. 8, 2016, which is incorporated by referenceherein in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates generally to a connector fitting, and moreparticularly, to a slip luer connector assembly and a method of usingthe slip luer connector assembly for connecting and disconnectingsyringes.

BACKGROUND

Luer connectors are used for attaching syringes, catheters, hubbedneedles, intravenous tubes, or other interlocking tubes together.Current luer connectors have been known to cause problems during use bydisconnecting or leaking under strong force or bending. In someapplications, such as surgical procedures, the connection between theinterlocking tubes needs to resist side loads, bending, and/or internalpressure present during use of the slip luer connector. A solution toovercome these issues includes the use of luer threads, which secure themale and female tubes together. However, although luer threads mayprovide a more secure connection, they also increase the amount of timerequired to switch between interlocking tubes and require more force totighten and loosen tubes.

Thus, an improved and/or simplified slip luer connector for connectinginterlocking tubes is desired to increase the effectiveness of theconnection while minimizing leakage between the tubes and minimizingdelay time when switching tubes.

SUMMARY

An aspect of the present disclosure provides a luer assembly. The luerassembly comprises a hub member and a latch member. The hub member has ahub receiving portion that includes an outer hub surface, an inner hubsurface, and a window surface. The inner hub surface defines a channelthat extends at least partially through the hub member. The windowsurface defines a window that extends from the outer hub surface to theinner hub surface. The latch member is coupled to the hub member andincludes at least one blade. The latch member is configured to beactuated between a first position and a second position. In the firstposition, the at least one blade is not positioned within the window ofthe hub member, and in the second position, the at least one blade ispositioned at least partially within the window of the hub member.

Another aspect of the present disclosure provides a method for operatinga luer assembly. The luer assembly includes a latch member and a hubmember. The method comprises inserting a male slip luer into the hubmember; and actuating the latch member from a first position to a secondposition. The hub member includes an outer hub surface, an inner hubsurface that defines a luer channel that extends at least partiallythrough the hub member, and a window surface that defines a window thatextends from the outer hub surface to the inner hub surface. The maleslip luer is inserted into the luer channel. The latch member includesat least one blade. In the first position of the latch member, the atleast one blade is not positioned within the window of the hub member,in the second position of the latch member, the at least one blade ispositioned at least partially within the window of the hub member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description ofillustrative embodiments of the present application, will be betterunderstood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For thepurposes of illustrating the present application, there is shown in thedrawings illustrative embodiments of the disclosure. It should beunderstood, however, that the application is not limited to the precisearrangements and instrumentalities shown. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a syringe, a luer assembly, anda tube interconnected, according to an aspect of this disclosure.

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of a luer assembly in an openposition with a syringe and a tube attached thereto, according to anaspect of this disclosure.

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of a luer assembly in a closedposition with a syringe and a tube attached thereto, according to anaspect of this disclosure.

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of a luer assembly in an openposition, according to an aspect of this disclosure.

FIG. 5 illustrates a top cross-sectional view of the luer assembly takenalong line 5-5 of FIG. 3, according to an aspect of this disclosure.

FIG. 6 illustrates a side view of a distal end of a luer assembly in anopen position, according to an aspect of this disclosure.

FIG. 7 illustrates a top view of a distal end of a luer assembly in anopen position, according to an aspect of this disclosure.

FIG. 8 illustrates a side cross-sectional view of the luer assemblytaken along line 8-8 of FIG. 7, according to an aspect of thisdisclosure.

FIG. 9A illustrates a side view of a syringe positioned within a luerassembly, the luer assembly in a first position, according to an aspectof this disclosure.

FIG. 9B illustrates a side view of a syringe positioned within a luerassembly, the luer assembly in a second position, according to an aspectof this disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This disclosure relates generally to a luer connector configured toconnect a syringe to a tube. The luer connector may receive and lock aportion of the syringe, minimizing the likelihood that the syringe willdisconnect during use. The luer connector includes a hub member and alatch member coupled to the hub member. The hub member defines at leastone female luer connector having at least one window extending from aninner surface to an outer surface. The female luer connector isconfigured to receive a male luer connector of the syringe. The latchincludes at least one blade. When the male luer connector of the syringeis positioned within the female luer connector of the hub member, thelatch may be moved relative to the hub member to position the at leastone blade within the at least one window of the hub member to engage themale luer connector. The engagement between the male luer connector andthe latch member locks the syringe within the luer connector.

Certain terminology is used in the description for convenience only andis not limiting. The words “proximal” and “distal” refer to positions ordirections toward and away from, respectively, an individual operating asyringe 10. The words “longitudinal,” “radial,” and “transverse”designate directions in the drawings to which reference is made. Theterm “substantially” is intended to mean considerable in extent orlargely but not necessarily wholly that which is specified. Theterminology includes the above-listed words, derivatives thereof andwords of similar import.

FIGS. 1-3 illustrate perspective views of a syringe 10 coupled to a tube20 via a luer assembly 100, according to an aspect of this disclosure. Adistal end 105 of the syringe 10 is coupled to a proximal end 101 of theluer assembly 100, and a distal end 103 of the luer assembly 100 iscoupled to a proximal end 107 of the tube 20. The interconnection of thesyringe 10, luer assembly 100, and tube 20 forms a fluid channel (notlabeled) that extends from a proximal end 109 of the syringe 10 to adistal end 111 of the tube 20, such that a fluid may be transmitted fromthe syringe 10 to the tube 20 through the luer assembly 100.

The syringe 10 includes a syringe body 11, at least one channel opening12, and at least one male luer 14. For example, two channel openings 12and two corresponding male luers are shown in FIG. 1. The at least onechannel opening 12 is located at the proximal end 109 of the syringe 20.The at least one male luer 14 is positioned at the distal end 105 of thesyringe 20 and is fluidly coupled to the at least one channel opening 12via the syringe body 11, such that fluid may flow from the at least onechannel opening 12 through the syringe body 11 to the at least one maleluer 14. The at least one male luer 14 may be formed, coupled, disposedor otherwise positioned on the distal end 105 of the syringe 10. Thesyringe 10 may be any type of syringe commonly used in the artconfigured to transmit a fluid.

The tube 20 may be coupled to the distal end 103 of the luer assembly100 to form a substantially leak-free seal. The tube 20 may be coupledto the luer assembly 100 by means commonly used in the art, such as afriction fit, using an adhesive, over molding of the luer assembly 100over the proximal end 107 of the tube 20, and/or welding. The tube 20may include, for example, a catheter tube, an intravenous tube, afeeding tube or other flexible tube used for transferring fluids. Thetube 20 may be made of a medical grade material.

Referring to FIGS. 2 through 5, the luer assembly 100 includes a hubmember 102 and a latch member 104. As illustrated, the latch member 104is rotatably coupled to the hub member 102 by a hinged connection 106.In alternative aspects, the latch member 104 may be slidably coupled tothe hub member 102, or by other coupling means.

The hub member 102 includes a first hub receiving portion 110, a secondhub receiving portion 120, a link portion 130, and a support portion140. The first hub receiving portion 110 and the second hub receivingportion 120 are coupled to the link portion 130, such that the first andsecond hub receiving portions 110 and 120 extend from the link portion130 in a longitudinal direction L. The longitudinal direction L extendsfrom the distal end 103 of the luer assembly 100 to the proximal end 101of the luer assembly 100. A proximal end of the first hub receivingportion 110 and a proximal end of the second hub receiving portion 120may each compose a portion of the proximal end 101 of the luer assembly100. A distal end of the link portion 130 may compose a portion of thedistal end 103 of the luer assembly 100.

The support portion 140 may be coupled to the first hub receivingportion 110, the second hub receiving portion 120, the link portion 130,or combinations thereof. The support portion 140 may extend from thelink portion 130 in the longitudinal direction L and be configured toprovide structural support to the hub member 102. The first hubreceiving portion 110, the second hub receiving portion 120, the linkportion 130, and the support portion 140 may be individual componentscoupled together, or may be integrally formed as a single hub member 102manufactured or otherwise formed together.

The first hub receiving portion 110 and the second hub receiving portion120 may be coupled to the link portion 130 in a substantially similarmanner. In this regard, the first and second hub receiving portions 110and 120 may extend in substantially the same direction, for example, inthe longitudinal direction L. In alternative aspects, the hub member 102may include a single hub receiving portion, for example, either thefirst or the second hub receiving portions 110 and 120, or the hubmember 102 may include more than the two first and second hub receivingportions 110 and 120, for example, three or more hub receiving portions.The description provided below is with respect to the first receivingportion 110, however, it will be appreciated that the description mayapply to the second hub receiving portion 120 and/or any other hubreceiving portion composing the hub member 102.

The first hub receiving portion 110 includes an outer hub surface 112, afirst inner hub surface 114, a second inner hub surface 116, a firstwindow surface 118, and a second window surface 119. The first inner hubsurface 114 may extend circumferentially about a longitudinal axis 50,and may define a first channel 122. The first channel 122 extends fromthe proximal end of the first hub portion 110 towards the distal end ofthe first hub portion 110. The second inner hub surface 116 may extendcircumferentially about the longitudinal axis 50, and may define asecond channel 124. The second channel 124 extends from the firstchannel 122 to the distal end of the first hub portion 110. Thelongitudinal axis 50 may be substantially parallel to the longitudinaldirection L.

The first channel 122 includes a first channel opening 126 at a proximalend of the first channel 122 and a second channel opening 128 at adistal end of the first channel 122. The first channel opening 126 mayopen to the outer hub surface 112. The second channel opening 128 mayopen to the second channel 124.

In an aspect of this disclosure, the first inner hub surface 114 may beparallel to the longitudinal axis 50, whereby the first channel opening126 has a substantially similar diameter to the second channel opening128. In an alternative aspect, first inner hub surface 114 may extendoutwardly from the distal end of the first channel 122 to the proximalend of the first channel 122, forming a conical shape about thelongitudinal axis 50. In this aspect, the first channel opening 126 mayhave a larger diameter than the second channel opening 128.

The second channel 124 may include a third channel opening 132 at aproximal end of the second channel 124 and a fourth channel opening 134at a distal end of the second channel 124. The third channel opening 132may open to the first channel 122, such that the first channel 122 is influid communication with the second channel 124. The fourth channelopening 134 may open to the link portion 130.

In an aspect of this disclosure, the first channel 122 may align withthe second channel 124 along the longitudinal axis 50. The alignment ofthe first channel 122 and the second channel 124 may form a shoulder136. The shoulder 136 may extend circumferentially about thelongitudinal axis 50. In an aspect, a diameter of the second channel 124may be less than a diameter of the first channel 122, thereby formingthe shoulder 136.

In an alternative aspect, the first hub receiving portion 110 mayinclude a single inner hub surface. For example, the single inner hubsurface may include the first inner hub surface 114, such that the firstchannel 122 defined by the first inner hub surface 114 extends from theproximal end of the first hub portion 110 to the distal end of the firsthub portion 110.

The first window surface 118 may define a first window or window channel138. The first window 138 may extend in a radial direction R from thefirst inner hub surface 114 to the outer hub surface 112, such that theinner hub surface 114 is in fluid communication with the outer hubsurface 112 via the first window 138. The second window surface 119 maydefine a second window or window channel (not visible in figures), whichhas substantially the same size and shape as the first window 138. Thesecond window may oppose the first window 138 in the radial direction Rand may extend from the first inner hub surface 114 to the outer hubsurface 112, such that the first inner hub surface 114 is in fluidcommunication with the outer hub surface 112 via the second window. Theradial direction R may extend radially outward from the longitudinalaxis 50 and be substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal directionL. In alternative aspects, the hub member 102 may include a singlewindow, such as first window 118, multiple windows, such as first window118 and second window defined by window surface 119, or other windowsextending from the first inner hub surface 114 to the outer hub surface112.

The hub member 102 further includes an upper portion 142 and a lowerportion 144 opposing the upper portion 142 in a transverse direction T1.The transverse direction T1 may be substantially perpendicular to thelongitudinal direction L. The upper portion 142 defines an upper groove146, and the lower portion 144 defines a lower groove 148. The uppergroove 146, the lower groove 148, and the window 138 may be aligned inthe transverse direction T1 so as to form a first blade channel 150. Thefirst blade channel 150 may extend at least partially through the hubmember 102 in the transverse direction T1 along a first transverse axis60, which is substantially parallel to the transverse direction T1.Similarly, a second blade channel (not visible in figures) may be formedon a side of the first hub receiving portion 110 opposing the firstblade channel 150 in the radial direction R. The second blade channelmay extend along a second transverse axis 65 and have substantially thesame size and shape as the first blade channel 150. The secondtransverse axis 65 may extend substantially parallel to the firsttransverse axis 60.

The hub member 102 may further include a first hinged connection 160 anda second hinged connection 162. The first and second hinged connections160 and 162 may be located on the upper portion 142 of the hub member102, and may extend from the hub member 102 in the transverse directionT1. The first hinged connection 160 may define a first hinge opening164, and the second hinged connection 162 may define a second hingeopening 166. The first and second hinge openings 164 and 166 may extendthrough the respective first and second hinged connections 160 and 162along a hinge lateral axis 70, which extends from the first hingedconnection 160 to the second hinged connection 162.

The link portion 130 may define a first link channel 152 and a secondlink channel 154. Both the first and second link channels 152 and 154extend through the link portion 130 from a proximal end to a distal endof the link portion 130. A proximal end of the first link channel 152 isconfigured to open to the second channel 124. Similarly, a proximal endof the second link channel 154 opens to a third channel 156 definedwithin the second hub portion 112. A distal end of both the first linkchannel 152 and the second link channel 154 open to the distal end ofthe link portion 130. Alternatively, the respective distal ends of thefirst link channel 152 and the second link channel 154 may open to oneanother, thereby forming a third link channel (not shown) extending fromthe distal ends of the first link channel 152 and the second linkchannel 154 to the distal end of the link portion 130.

FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate the latch member 104 coupled to the hub member102 from a perspective view and a top view, respectively. The latchmember 104 includes a first latch end 202, a second latch end 204, and alatch body 201 that extends from the first latch end 202 to the secondlatch end 204. The first latch end 202 includes a first hinge pin 206and a second hinge pin 208 opposing the first hinge pin 206 along alatch lateral axis 80. Each of the first and second hinge pins 206 and208 extend from the latch body 201 along the latch lateral axis 80. Thefirst hinge pin 206, the second hinge pin 208, the first hingedconnection 160, and the second hinged connection 162 may compose thehinged connection 106 between the latch member 104 and the hub member102.

The second latch end 204 of the latch member 104 includes a lock portion210, a first blade member 230, and a second blade member 232. The lockportion 210 extends from the latch body 201 in a latch transversedirection T2. The lock portion 210 may have a rectangular cuboid orcubic shape, with a width dimension 212 and a length dimension 214. Thewidth dimension 212 may extend in a lateral direction La, and the lengthdimension 214 may extend in the longitudinal direction L. The lateraldirection La may be substantially perpendicular to the longitudinaldirection L.

The magnitude of the width dimension 212 may depend on a distance 213between the outer hub surface 112 of the first hub receiving portion 110and an outer surface 216 of the second hub receiving portion 120. Forexample, the size of the width dimension 212 may be such that the lockportion 210 may fit between the first hub receiving portion 110 and thesecond hub receiving portion 120 in the lateral direction La.

The lock portion 210 may include a first lock element 218 and a secondlock element 220. The first lock element 218 and the second lock element220 may be positioned on sides of the lock portion 210 opposing eachother in the lateral direction La. The second lock element 220 extendsout from the lock portion 210 in the lateral direction La, and the firstlock element 218 extends from the lock portion 210 in a directionopposing the lateral direction La.

The first blade member 230 and a second blade member 232 may extend fromthe latch body 201 in the latch transverse direction T2. Each of thefirst and second blade members 230 and 232 may extend from the latchbody 201 in a substantially similar manner, such that they form mirrorimages of each other when viewed from the longitudinal direction L. Inalternative aspects, the latch member 104 may include a single bladeportion, for example, either the first or the second blade members 230and 232, or the latch member 104 may include more than the two first andblade members 230 and 232, for example, three or more blade members. Thenumber of blade members 230 and 232 may be related to the number of hubreceiving portions 110 and 112, such that the number of blade members230 and 232 is equivalent to the number of hub receiving portions 110and 112. The description provided below is with respect to the firstblade member 230; however, it will be appreciated that the descriptionmay apply to the second blade member 232 and/or any other blade portioncomposing the latch member 104.

The first blade member 230 includes a first blade body 234 and a secondblade body 236 opposing the first blade body 234 in the lateraldirection La. The first and second blade bodies 234 and 236 may extendto a substantially similar distance from the latch body 201 in the latchtransverse direction T2.

FIG. 8 illustrates a cross-sectional side view of the second latch end204 of the latch member 104 as viewed from the lateral direction Lataken along line 8-8 of FIG. 7. The second blade body 236 includes afirst blade 238 that extends from a bottommost end of the second bladebody 236 to an uppermost end of the second blade body 236. The firstblade 238 includes a first blade portion 240 and a second blade portion242. The first blade portion 240 extends from the latch body 201 to thesecond blade portion 242, and the second blade portion 242 extends fromthe first blade portion 240 towards the uppermost end of the secondblade body 236. The second blade portion 242 may be linear orcurvilinear in shape. The first blade portion 240 may be angularlyoffset from the second blade portion 242 by an offset angle θ. Forexample, if the first blade portion 240 is aligned with the latchtransverse direction T2, the second blade portion 242 extends at leastpartially in both the longitudinal direction L and the latch transversedirection T2 forming the offset angle (I) between the first and secondblade portions 240 and 242. The offset angle (I) may be any anglebetween 0 and 180 degrees, inclusive.

The first blade body 234 includes a second blade 244 that extends from abottommost end of the first blade body 234 to an uppermost end of thefirst blade body 234. The second blade 244 faces the first blade 238 ofthe second blade body 236 in the lateral direction La. The first bladebody 234 may be configured substantially similarly to the second bladebody portion 236. For example, the first blade 238 a may be a mirrorimage of the second blade 244 when viewed from the longitudinaldirection L. The second blade 244 may include a first blade portion (notvisible in figures) corresponding to the first blade portion 240 of thefirst blade 238, and a second blade portion (not visible in figures)corresponding to the second blade portion 242 of the first blade 238.

The second end 202 of the latch member 104 may be rotably coupled to thehub member 102 by positioning the first hinge pin 206 and the secondhinge pin 208 within the first hinge opening 164 and the second hingeopening 166, respectively. The connection between the first and secondhinge pins 206 and 208 with the first and second hinge openings 164 and166 may define, for example, a swivel hinge. When the first and secondhinge pins 206 and 208 are positioned within the first and second hingeopenings 164 and 166, the hinge lateral axis 70 may align with the latchlateral axis 80. The first and second hinge pins 206 and 208 secure thelatch member 104 to the hub member 102 and allow the latch member 104 torotate about the hinge lateral axis 70 relative to the hub member 102.The latch member 104 may rotate about the hinge lateral axis 70 from anopen position (as illustrated in FIG. 2) to a closed or locked position(as illustrated in FIG. 3).

The syringe 10 is coupled to the luer assembly 100 by sliding the atleast one male slip luer 14 at the distal end 105 of the syringe 10 intothe first hub receiving portion 110 and/or the second hub receivingportion 120. The at least one male slip luer 14 may be slid into andretained in either of the first and second hub receiving portions 110and 120 in a substantially similar manner. The description providedbelow is with respect to the first hub receiving portion 110, however,it will be appreciated that the description may apply to the second hubreceiving portion 120 and/or any other hub receiving portion composingthe hub member 102.

The at least one male slip luer 14 may have an outer surface withdimensions substantially similar to the shape defined by the first innerhub surface 114 of the first hub receiving portion 110. For example, ifthe first inner hub surface 114 forms a conical shape, the at least onemale slip luer 14 may have a substantially similar conical shape. Inthis regard, when the at least one male slip luer 14 is positionedwithin the first channel 122 of the first hub receiving portion 110, atleast a portion of the outer surface of the at least one male slip luer14 is in contact with the inner hub surface 114. The contact between theouter surface of the at least one male slip luer 14 and the inner hubsurface 114 may at least partially secure the at least one male slipluer 14 to the first hub receiving portion 110.

The at least one male slip luer 14 may be slid into the first channel122 of the first hub receiving portion 110 so that a distal end of theat least one male slip luer 14 contacts the shoulder 136. The shoulder136 may prevent the at least one male slip luer 14 from furtherextending into the first hub receiving portion 110. Alternatively, theat least one male slip luer 14 may extend partially into the firstchannel 122 when slid into the first hub receiving portion 110, suchthat the distal end of the at least one male slip luer 14 is positionedbetween the proximal end and the distal end of the first channel 122.The contact between the outer surface of the at least one male slip luer14 and the inner hub surface 114 may prevent the at least one male slipluer 14 from contacting the shoulder 136.

The latch member 104 is configured to lock and/or secure the syringe 10within the hub member 102. When the at least one male slip luer 14 ispositioned with the first channel 122, at least a portion of the atleast one male slip luer 14 may project into the first blade channel 150and the second blade channel 151. The latch member 104 may then berotated about the hinge lateral axis 70 from the open position to thelocked position, so that the first blade body 234 and second blade body236 of the first blade member 230 come into alignment with the firstblade channel 150 and the second blade channel 151, respectively. Whenthe latch member 104 is in the closed position, the first blade 238 andthe second blade 244 are spaced apart from each other such that each ofthe blades 238 and 244 contact the outer surface of the at least onemale slip luer 14, substantially preventing the syringe 10 from slidingin and out of the first channel 122.

The rotation of the latch member 104 may be described by definingvarious positions of the latch member 104 relative to the hub member102. For example, the latch member 104 may include a first position, asecond position, and a third position. In the first position, the latchmember 104 may be in the open position, such that neither the firstblade 238 nor the second blade 244 is positioned within either of thefirst and second blade channels 150 and 151. In the second position, thelatch member 104 may be rotated about the hinge lateral axis 70 to aposition such that the first blade member 230 is initially entering thefirst and second blade channels 150 and 151 from the upper portion 142of the hub member 102. In the third position, the latch member 104 maybe rotated about the hinge lateral axis 70 to the closed position, suchthat both the first blade 238 and the second blade 244 are positionedwithin the first blade channel 150 and the second blade channel,respectively.

FIGS. 9A and 9B illustrate side views of the syringe 10 positionedwithin the luer assembly 100. FIG. 9A shows the latch member 104 in thesecond position, and FIG. 9B shows the latch member 104 in the thirdposition. In the second position, the second blade portion 242 of thefirst blade 238 may align with the second transverse axis 65 such thatthe second blade portion 242 is parallel to the second transverse axis65. The second blade portion (not visible in figures) of the secondblade 244 may align with the first transverse axis 60, such that thesecond blade portion of the second blade 244 is parallel to the firsttransverse axis 60. In this regard, the spacing of the first blademember 230 and the second blade member from the first hinge pin 206 andsecond hinge pin 208 along the latch body 201 may depend upon the offsetangle Φ between the first and second blade portions 240 and 242.Alternatively, the offset angle Φ may depend upon the spacing of thefirst and second blade member 230 and 232 from the first and secondhinge pins 206 and 206 along the latch body 201.

In the third position, the first blade member 230 is at least partiallywithin the first and second blade channels 150 and 151. In an aspect,the first blade member 230 may extend fully through the first and secondblade channels 150 and 151. In the third position, the first bladeportion 240 of the first blade 238 may align with the second transverseaxis 65 such that the first blade portion 240 is parallel to the secondtransverse axis 65. The first blade portion (not visible in figures) ofthe second blade 244 may align with the first transverse axis 60, suchthat the first blade portion of the second blade 244 is parallel to thefirst transverse axis 60.

As the latch member 104 is rotated from the second position to the thirdposition, the rotational motion of the first and second blades 238 and244 relative to the hub member 102 provide a force on the at least onemale luer 14 pulling the at least one male luer 14 towards the distalend of the first channel 122. The force applied to the at least one maleluer 14 creates a tight seal between the at least one male luer 14 andthe inner hub surface 114 of the first hub receiving portion 110. Theluer assembly 100 may be a slip luer assembly, or alternatively, theluer assembly 100 may also include lock luer assemblies or other typesof luer connectors.

After the latch member 104 has been rotated to the third position, thelatch member 104 may be locked to the hub member 102. The first lockelement 218 and a second lock element 220 may engage with the outersurface 216 of the second hub receiving portion 120 and the outer hubsurface 112 of the first hub receiving portion 110, respectively. Theengagement between the first and second lock elements 218 and 220 withthe first and second hub receiving portions 110 and 120 may provide afeedback, such as an auditory feedback or a tactile feedback, whichindicates that the latch member 104 is in the third position. The firstand second lock elements 218 and 220 may be, for example, snap clips,snap locks, or other fasteners that can substantially prevent movementof the latch member 104 relative to the hub member 102.

To operate the luer assembly 100, an operator, such as a surgeon, mayinsert the syringe 10 into the luer assembly 100 such that a first atleast one male luer 14 and a second at least one male luer 14 arepositioned within the first hub receiving portion 110 and the second hubreceiving portion 120, respectively. The operator may then actuate thelatch member 104 to rotate from the first, open position, to the third,closed position, locking the syringe 10 to the luer assembly 100. Theproximal end 107 of the tube 20 may be coupled to the distal end 103 ofthe luer assembly 100. The operator may then transfer fluid from thesyringe 10 to the tube 20 through the luer assembly 100.

After the fluid transfer through the luer assembly 100 is complete, theoperator may release the first and second lock elements 218 and 220 andactuate the latch from the third, closed position, to the first, openposition. The syringe 10 may then be removed from the luer assembly 100by sliding the first and second at least one male luer 14 out of thefirst hub receiving portion 110 and the second hub receiving portion120, respectively.

It will be appreciated that the foregoing description provides examplesof the disclosed system and method. However, it is contemplated thatother implementations of the disclosure may differ in detail from theforegoing examples. All references to the disclosure or examples thereofare intended to reference the particular example being discussed at thatpoint and are not intended to imply any limitation as to the scope ofthe disclosure more generally. All language of distinction anddisparagement with respect to certain features is intended to indicate alack of preference for those features, but not to exclude such from thescope of the disclosure entirely unless otherwise indicated.

1. An assembly, comprising: a hub member having a hub receiving portion,the hub receiving portion comprising: an outer hub surface, an inner hubsurface defining a channel, the channel extending at least partiallythrough the hub member, and a window surface defining a window extendingfrom the outer hub surface to the inner hub surface; and a latch membercoupled to the hub member, the latch member including at least oneblade, wherein the latch member is configured to be actuated between afirst position and a second position, wherein in the first position, theat least one blade is not positioned within the window of the hubmember, and wherein in the second position, the at least one blade ispositioned at least partially within the window of the hub member. 2.The assembly of claim 1, wherein the channel is a luer channel, the luerchannel being adapted for receiving a male slip luer within, whereinwhen the male slip luer is positioned within the luer channel and thelatch member is in the second position, the male slip luer issubstantially restricted from sliding within the luer channel, andwherein when the male slip luer is positioned within the luer channeland the latch member is in the first position, the male slip luer isfreely slidable within the luer channel.
 3. The assembly of claim 2,wherein when the latch member is in the second position and the maleslip luer is within the luer channel, the at least one blade is engagedwith the male slip luer.
 4. The assembly of claim 2, wherein the channelextends in a longitudinal direction, and wherein the window extends fromthe outer hub surface to the inner hub surface in a radial direction,the radial direction being substantially perpendicular to thelongitudinal direction.
 5. The assembly of claim 4, wherein the hubmember further includes an upper portion, a lower portion opposing theupper portion in a transverse direction, an upper groove in the upperportion, and a lower groove in the lower portion, wherein the uppergroove, the lower groove, and the window surface form a blade channelthat extends in the transverse direction at least partially through thehub member, and wherein the transverse direction is substantiallyperpendicular to the longitudinal direction.
 6. The assembly of claim 5,wherein the at least one blade includes a first blade portion and asecond blade portion, wherein the first blade portion is angularlyoffset from the second blade portion.
 7. The assembly of claim 6,wherein when the latch member is actuated from the first position to thesecond position, the first blade portion is configured to besubstantially parallel to the blade channel when the first blade portioninitially enters the blade channel.
 8. The assembly of claim 7, whereinwhen the latch member is in the second position, the second bladeportion is configured to be substantially parallel to the blade channel.9. The assembly of claim 8, wherein when the latch member is actuatedfrom the first position to the second position, rotational of the latchmember providing a force that pulls the male slip luer further into thechannel of the hub member creating a tight seal.
 10. The assembly ofclaim 4, wherein the window surface is a first window surface and thewindow is a first window, wherein the hub member further includes asecond window surface defining a second window extending from the outerhub surface to the inner hub surface, wherein in the second position, afirst at least one blade is positioned at least partially within thefirst window of the hub member and a second at least one blade ispositioned at least partially within the second window of the hubmember, and wherein in the first position, the first and second at leastone blades are not positioned within the first window and the secondwindow of the hub member, respectively.
 11. The assembly of claim 10,wherein the first window and the second window of the hub member opposeeach other in the radial direction.
 12. The assembly of claim 1, furthercomprising: a second hub member having a second hub receiving portion,the second hub receiving portion comprising: a second outer hub surface,a second inner hub surface defining a second channel, the second channelextending at least partially through the second hub member, and a secondwindow surface defining a second window extending from the second outerhub surface to the second inner hub surface, wherein the hub member andthe window are a first hub member and a first window, respectfully,wherein in the first position, a first at least one blade is notpositioned within the first window of the first hub member and a secondat least one blade is not positioned within the second window of thesecond hub member, and wherein in the second position, the first andsecond at least one blade are positioned at least partially within thefirst window and the second window, respectively. 13-15. (canceled) 16.The assembly of claim 1, wherein the latch member is rotatably coupledto the hub member.
 17. The assembly of claim 16, wherein the hub memberfurther includes a swivel hinge, and wherein the latch member furtherincludes a first end and a second end opposing the first end, whereinthe at least one blade is positioned toward the second end, and whereinthe first end is rotatably coupled to the swivel hinge.
 18. A method foroperating a luer assembly, the luer assembly having a latch member and ahub member, the method comprising: inserting a male luer into the hubmember, the hub member including an outer hub surface, an inner hubsurface defining a luer channel extending at least partially through thehub member, and a window surface defining a window extending from theouter hub surface to the inner hub surface, wherein the male luer isinserted into the luer channel; and actuating the latch member from afirst position to a second position, the latch member including at leastone blade, wherein in the first position, the at least one blade is notpositioned within the window of the hub member, and wherein in thesecond position, the at least one blade is positioned at least partiallywithin the window of the hub member.
 19. (canceled)
 20. The method ofclaim 18, further comprising: actuating the latch member from the secondposition to the first position.
 21. The method of claim 18, wherein whenthe latch member is in the second position the at least one blade isengaged with the male luer.
 22. The method of claim 18, wherein the hubmember further includes a swivel hinge, the method further comprising:coupling the latch member to the swivel hinge of the hub member, suchthat the latch member rotates relative to the hub member when the latchmember is actuated between the first position and the second position.